“It is a great honor to be the E-Fellows scholarship holder and without this scholarship, I would not have been able to come to Miami,” said Thönes. “My great experience of studying here is built on this scholarship.”
Thönes, who received an LL.B. in Comparative and European Law from the Universities of Bremen and Oldenburg Hanse in Germany, was not initially planning on studying in the United States, but the LL.M. Day in Frankfurt helped convince her that the University of Miami School of Law was the place to pursue an LL.M. degree in International Arbitration.
“I want a career in International Arbitration and the program here in Miami is, in my opinion, the best start towards reaching this goal,” said Thönes. “The program is one of the best worldwide regarding arbitration and UM is an amazing school. A great number of professors teaching in the Arbitration LL.M. are globally-known experts in dispute resolution and having the opportunity to learn from them first-hand is a unique experience no other university could offer me. Additionally, I was impressed by the effort the program coordinators and teachers put into helping us find employment after graduation.”
The LL.M. student, who worked as a Graduate Research Assistant for Professor Emeritus David Abraham, has enjoyed studying with students from so many different countries and cultural backgrounds.
“I also enjoy all the extra-curricular activities and events Miami Law offers,” said Thönes, “especially the ICC Miami Conference and the International Arbitration Master Series focusing on how to persuade a tribunal.”
After she graduates in May 2017, Thönes plans to sit for the New York Bar exam in July and return to Germany, to start gaining practical experience in arbitration.
The White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. Program, which is led by Professor Jan Paulsson, provides an unparalleled individualized curriculum encompassing international commercial and investment arbitration. Additionally, it offers unique practical learning opportunities for a small group of top-quality students from around the globe, wishing to acquire in-depth knowledge and skills in the field of international arbitration as a platform for a successful career. The program - the only one of its kind in the U.S. – is open to U.S. and foreign-trained law graduates and attorneys, and is ideal for newcomers to the field or experienced practitioners looking to enrich their skills and knowledge.
